Framework structures for suspended ceiling and lighting systems



275,817 FRAMEWORK STRUCTURES FOR SUSPENDED CEILING AND LIGHTING SYSTEMS nal Filed NOV. 29, 1956 Sept. 27, 1966 R. A. D. SCHWARTZ ETAL' 2 Sheets-Sheet l Origi INVENTOKS IOfi WRO. sown Arm, .57Z'Pl/5V m LINDA 57b4,

ATTORNEY Sept. 27, 1966 R. A. D. SCHWARTZ ETAL 3,275,817

FRAMEWORK STRUCTURES FOR SUSPENDED CEILING AND LIGHTING SYSTEMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 29, 1956 INVENTORS was? 7'. 0. awn 4 772, aw/{EN ML/NDl/E/M; fl

ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofi ice Patented Sept. 27,, 1966 31,619, now Patent of application Ser. 29, 1956, now Patent No. 2,956,150. application Aug. 26, 1964, Ser..No.

6 Claims, (Cl. 240-9) This invention relates to improvements in framework structures for suspended ceiling and lighting systems, the present application for Letters Patent thereon being a division of our application Ser. No. 31,619, filed May 25, 1960, now Patent No. 3,146,956, which in turn is a division of our application Ser. No. 625,065, filed Nov. 2-9, 1956, now Patent No. 2,956,150, dated Oct. 11, 1960, which latter application is a continuation-inpart of our application Ser. No. 457,:844, filed Sept. 23, 1954, now Patent No. 2,888,113, dated May 26, 1969.

As explained in some detail in our aforesaid application Ser. No. 31,619, it has become common practice in modern lighting and ceiling construction to combine ceiling and lighting means into an integrated ceiling system built upon a framework structure suspended from a permanent ceiling or roof and which supports both the usually modular ceiling panels and a plurality of tubular (fluorescent) lamps conventionally disposed at a level above said panels but which, in the case of light-reflecting ceiling panels, may also be disposed at a lower level than said panels.

A problem arising in such an integrated ceiling construction is that of making suitable accommodation for the wiring necessary for the tubular lamps, which of course must be masked from view and at the same time be .so located as to be reasonably accessible. Labor and material-cost factors involved in installing the lamp wiring also dictate that the wiring system be simple and of a nature as to eliminate duplication of parts and also of a type as permitsspeedy, low-cost installation.

It is. thereforean object of the present invention to wiring for the tubular lamps.

A more particular object of the invention is the provision of a framework structure for a suspended ceiling and lighting system as aforesaidwhich is made up of longitudinal members or runners and cross members connected thereto preferably in grid fashion, wherein either or both said longitudinal members and cross members configured as to provide not only the horizontal flanges panels along edges thereof, but also to provide one or more channel-like raceways for the wiring extending to the tubular lamps also supported on said framework.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a framework member for use in suspended-ceiling framework construction comprising an upper elongate portion of channel section defining an open-top raceway for wiring running to electrical lighting means associated with the suspended ceiling and a lower elongated portion .of inverted T-bar section depending from said upper portion and including coplanar flanges extending horizontallyoutwardly from the vertical leg of said T-bar section, wherein the width of the upper raceway-defining portion of the member does not exceed the total width of said flanges, whereby framework members characterized as aforesaid may be combined with simple, inverted T-bar framework members having the same flange width, without the members of the invention giving diflerent appearance than those of simple T-bar section, when all are viewed from below, and further whereby framework members having the special configuration and channel width as aforesaid may be employed in the framework of luminous ceilings of the type which mount lighting means above the framework, without casting a shadow discernible from below the celing level.

The above and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description of the framework structure of the invention, wherein reference is had to the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective, partly in section, of an integrated ceiling and lighting system in-. corporating the improved framework structure of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, in perspective, showing in greater detail than does FIG. 1 the configuration, in transverse section, of one of the longitudinal runners or members of the framework structure shown in FIG. 1, as well as its capability of providing a raceway for electrical wiring;

FIG; 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but illustrating a somewhat modified form of framework structurethan illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating yet another form of framework structure for a suspended ceiling and lighting sysends of'suspension wires or cables tern according to the present invention, wherein both the longitudinal members or runners and the cross members of the amework grid are configured to provide channellike raceways for the accommodation of both the longitudinal and cross wiring for the lamps employed in the system.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to the form of ceiling framework structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and therein generally designated F, such framework structure is shown to be comprised by a plurality of parallel, laterally spaced, longitudinal members or runners 10 and a plurality of cross members 12 extending between and interconnecting said longitudinal runners in manner as to form a grid structure, of which one such longitudinal member and one such cross member are partiallyshown. Said framework structure is adapted to be supported from. the permanent ceiling of a room or from rafters of a building, as by means of a plurality of hanger straps 14 of inverted U-shape (only one being shown), whose side legs are adapted to be aflixed at their free ends to outwardly projecting upperedge flanges 10x, 10y provided on the longitudinal members 10 of said framework structure and which mount eye-bolts 16, to the eyes of which are attached the lower 18 whose-upper ends (not shown) extend to and are secured to the aforesaid permanent ceiling or said building rafters, for example.

At spaced intervals along their respective lengths, the aforesaid longitudinal runners 10 of adjacent pairs thereof mount opposed. pairs of upright pedestals 20, which in turn mount sockets 22 in which the ends of transverse tubular lamps 24 are supported. Each said pedestal is preferably fashioned from identical upright half sections 24a, 24b which are secured in back-to-back relation, and :are moreover formed with mating hollow ribs 26 which together define a vertical duct for electrical wiring extending to the lamp sockets 22.

their bottom edges with oppositely directed, horizontal oppositely disposed, coplanar horizontal vided with 12b. Thus, each 'of the openings in the gridfianges 12a,

form framework provided by said longitudinal and cross coplanar, upwardly facing 1 members are bounded by flanges a, 10b and 12a, 12b which provide supporting ledges for a luminous ceiling panel 28, it being understood that said panels are repeated throughout thefull area of the framework grid, thus in practical efiect providing a modular luminous ceiling system.

From the construction so far generally described, it will be understood that the framework structure F defined by the longitudinal members or runners 10 and the cross members 12 is one intended to be suspended from a permanent ceiling or other fixed building part above same, and thati-t serves to support a plurality of usually luminous ceiling panels along all four edges thereof and also a plurality of tubular lamps which are disposed above the luminous ceiling panels and which preferably extendcrosswise between adjacent pairs of longitudinal runners of .the plurality of such runners in part making up the framework structure. I-t will also be seen that such a framework structure Fprovides for spacing of the lamps 24 independently-of the grid opening or modules formed by its members 10 and 1-2,and also for varying the spacing of the lamps above the panels 28 simply by varying the height of the pedestals 20. And of course said framework structure can be suspended at any appropriate height below the permanent ceiling.

According to one form of longitudinal member, or runner 10 employed in said framework structure which FIG. 2 illustrates that the framework crossmembers 12 of inverted T barsection as stated above are secured at each end thereof to a longitudinal member or runner '10 by a connector member having a head portion 40 which is received in the facing,

42 provided vertical aligned guideways 5 on eachface of the vertical web or flange 32a of the lower, inverted T-portion 32 of said longitudinal member, and further having a projecting tongue 44 1 which, after being passed through a slot in, the end of 2 the vertical web of the respective T-bar 12, is: then bent back on said web. Further details regarding the construction, mounting and manner-of operationof said is best shown in FIG. 2, wherein runner configurationin tranverse section is depicted, said runner comprises an open-top channel, portion 30 defined by laterally spaced, vertical side walls 30a,

T bar section and including a vertical web or plate 32a 30b extending from a horizontal bottom wall 300, and a lower portion 32having inverted the aforesaid oppositely directed, coplanar flanges 10a,..

10b for supporting the-luminous ceiling panels 28. It

is a feature of the invention that the width of said channel portion 30 does not exceed the totalof the width of the. two coplanar flanges 10a, 10b of the lower portion ofT-.

bar section. Hence, it will be appreciated that while said channel portion defines :an elongated raceway for the longitudinal wiring necessary for the tubular lamps 24- supported by said longitudinal members or runners, such cannot be seen from below nor will it cast a shadow,

discernible from below.

For such cross wiring as may be requiredforthe lamps 24 extending between adjacent pairs of the longitudinal members or runners 10, cross wiring means generally designated 34, 36 (FIG. 1) are provided, it being observed that such will communicate with the longitudinal wiring raceways provided by the channels 30 of said runners 10 as may be necessary.

A raceway cover 38 (FIG. 1) is provided, such being preferably fashioned of sheet metal having sufficient resilience as to permit its side edges to be snapped-into.

facing grooves 36a, 36b formed in the side walls of the channels 30 along their upper edges. Preferably, to provide for ready access to the wiring raceway, andalso for communication between said raceway and saidpedestals 20 and said cross wiring means 34,36, the race- 1 way covers, 38 are fashioned in sections having sub.-

stantially shorter length than that of the longitudinal.

runners 10, and which may be spaced from one another at appropriate intervals along the length of the channel.

Further details concerningthe cover-section spacing and related features will be found in our aforesaid Patent No. 2,888,113.

connector members will be found in our patent No.

FIG. 2 illustrates a suspended-ceiling further feature of advantage of may be combined with simple T- bar members corresponding to that designated 12, w-ithout said members '10;

T-bar members i of being distinguishable from said simple 12 when all are viewed from below. This assumes,

framework members 10 especially con figured and dimensioned as aforesaid, namely, that such course, that both forms of framework members 10 and.

12 will have the same flange width, but thisiassumption is-in accordance with standard practicein the design of ceiling frameworkofthe type which supports modular,

ceiling panels along the outer edges thereof, of making all panel-supporting flanges of the same width.

According to the modified form of-framework structure shown in FIG. 3, the cross members of the frame- I work (or the particular cross member or members which have the combined T-bar they are end-connected In this form of framework structure, the longitudinal members or runners designated 48 are shown to'have a simple channel section,

whose channels 50 are defined by horizontally spaced;

upright side walls 50a, 50b and a bottom wall 50c. Said longitudinal. channel-sectioned members or runners are adapted toprovide longitudinal raceways for the wiring for the tubular lamps 24 extending between adjacent members as aforesaid,iand theyare alsoprovided with oppositely projecting,horizontal,coplanar flanges 52a,

52b disposed to project outwardly from the lower edges of said channel sides and functioning as the aforesaid flanges 10a, 10b in formingtopposed supporting ledges for adjacent luminous ceiling panels 28. For further; details regarding such jlongitudinal members or'runnerss 50 characterized 'by the aforesaid substantially straight.

channel configuration, reference may be had to our afore-.

said Patents Nos. 2,888,113 and 2,956,150.

. The modified cross member designated 60 form of'framework structure comprises an, upper chanw nel portion -62udefined by spaced vertical side walls,

in FIG.43 I

62a, 62b and a connecting bottom wall 62cyand ;by a

lower portion 64 of inverted T-section consisting of an upright plate or web 64a dependingsubstantially centrally from said bottom wall tile of the upper. channel portion and carrying horizontal paneLsupporting flanges 66a, 66b which err-tend in opposite-directions from the lower edge of. said plate or web portion and which are coplanar with one LRIlOlZhfiI and also with the flanges 52a, 52b of the associated longitudinal member, 50.;- Said combined channel and T-bar type cross member 60 is adapted to .besecured to the. longiudinal' members" or runners with which itjis associated as by. connector members 40, 44 similarto those which effect the SCCUIQ.

ment of the straight T-bar cross member 121a: earlier securement is here included. I

described, and hence no further description of of cross members 60,"-it-is; to beparticular noted that supported on said the upright plate or web 64a of the lower I -bar portion of said cross member has increased height as compared [to that of the vertical web of the cross' member of simple T- bar section employedin the FIGS. 1 and 2 framework structure, as enablesthe adjacent ends of the channel portions 62 of tandem-related cross members to extend over and restonthe upper edges of the side walls of the channels of the longitudinal runners or members 48. Such anarrangement makes it exceedingly simple to establish communication between the longitudinal wiring raceways provided by the channels 50 of the longitudinal members or runners and the cross-wiring raceways provided by the upper channel portions of the cross members having the section shown in FIG.- 3.

The channels 50 of the longitudinal members are adapted to be closed on top by a longitudinal cover strip 70 corresponding to, the cover 38 of the FIGS. 1 land 2 form of framework structure. Similarly, the open top channel portion 62 of each channel and T-bar-seetioned cross member 60 is adapted to be closed on top by a top cover 7-4 adapted to be snapped into facing grooves provided along the upper edges of the side walls defining said channel portion. 'Preferably, said cover 74 is of a length as to extend between the ends of tandemrelated cross members resting on a longitudinal member and carries an inverted U-shaped bridging member 76 of width as to extend between the side walls 62a, 62b of the channel portions of the sorelated cross members. Illustratively, the bridging member is secured to the under face of the cover 74 :by rivets 78 and its side legs are sufliciently long that they extend downwardly into engagement with the cover 70 of the longitudinal channel 50. It will of course be understood that said latter cover may be broken apart or pierced in its area covered by the bridging member 76 so as to permit wiring to be run upwardly from a longitudinal raceway to an as sociated cross raceway.

The advantage of the FIG. 3 form of framework structure over that of the FIGS. 1 and 2 form thereof is that the cross member itself provided with a wiring raceway for such cross wiring as may be necessary for the lamps structure eliminates the need of the separate cross-wiring means 34, 36 shown in FIG. 2, for example.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another form of framework structure according to the invention wherein both the longitudinal members or runners and the cross members thereof (or some of them) have the combined channel and T-bar configuration characterizing only the longitudinal members or runners 10 of the FIGS. 1 and 2 form and only the cross members 60 of the FIG. 3 form of framework. More particularly, a longitudinal runner designated 80 is shown to have configuration in transverse section identical with that of the longitudinal mem- 'ber or runner 10 shown in FIG. 2, and a cross member designated 90 associated therewith has configuration in transverse section which is generally that of the cross member shown in FIG. 3, differing from the latter only in respect to the vertical plate or web member 94a of its lower inverted T-bar portion 94 having the increased height as enables its upper channel portion 92 to extend over onto and to rest on the upper edges of the channel portion 30 of the longitudinal member when its bottom panel-supporting flanges are coplanar with those of the inverted T-bar portion of said longitudinal member.

Thus, in the FIG. 4 form of framework structure also, the provision of a channel in one or more of the cross members serving as a raceway for cross-wiring does away with the necessity of providing cross-wiring conduits or ducts entirely separate from the cross member, as characterized the FIG. 1 form of structure and also certain of the framework structures disclosed in our prior issued Patent No. 2,956,150 and our aforesaid application Ser. No. 31,619. Accordingly, both the FIGS-.- 3- and 4 framework structures require a reduced number of parts andthereby makes possible simpler and less expensive installation procedure, as compared to that for the framework structure employing the separate crosswiring ducts or conduits such as those designated 34, 36 in FIG. 1.=

As explained in my aforesaid application Ser. No. 31,619, the basically T-bar type frame member which incorporates a channel-form raceway as herein contemplated for the main and/or cross wiring has. the further advantage that it is inherently stronger and more rigid than either the conventional channel-section or plain or T bar form of frame member and thus its use in a ceiling framework results in the framework structure and thereby the entire ceiling having increased strength, load bearing capacity and resistance to shocks and vibrations, as compared to the ceiling framework fabricated from longitudinal runners and cross members having the more conventional section or sections. In addition, wiring raceways which extend the full lengths of both the longitudinal members or runners and of the cross members which interconnect same (or some of them as may be necessary) makes for great flexibility -in the wiring system, which is an added feature of advantage in the installation of luminous ceilings generally, and more particularly in irregularly or non-symmetrically shaped buildings or rooms thereof.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. A ceiling framework member for an integrated ceiling and lighting system comprising an upper elongated portion of upright channel section defining an open-top electrical wiring raceway for enclosing Wiring running to electrical lighting means in part supported from said member and a lower elongated portion of inverted T- bar section depending therefrom and including a planar vertical leg and a pair of coplanar horizontal flanges integral with and projecting outwardly and in opposite directions from the lower edge of said leg and providing ceiling-panel supporting means, the width of the channel section being substantially equal to the total width of said flanges.

2. A ceiling framework member according to claim 1, wherein said upright channel portion and said lower ptgtion of inverted T-section are integral one with the ot er.

3. A ceiling framework member according to claim 1, and further including an elongate cover for and closing the open top of the channel, and means extending along and being integral with the top edges of said upper portion for demountably securing the cover in position to close the open top of the channel.

4. A ceiling framework member according to claim 1, wherein said portion of inverted T-bar section is provided with opposed means extending along both the top and bottom edges of its vertical leg and which cooperate with the opposite plane faces of said leg in defining a pair of oppositely facing slideways for connector means adapted to secure the ends of other framework members to said framework member.

'5. A framework structure for a suspended ceiling and lighting system including, in combination: a plurality of longitudinal members connected together in manner as to form a supporting framework for ceiling panels and for ceiling lighting means; at least certain of said members each comprising an upper elongate portion of opentop channel section and a lower elongate portion of inverted T-bar section depending therefrom and including a planar vertical leg and a pair of coplanar horizontal flanges projecting outwardly and in opposite directions from the lower edge of said leg and providing-support means for ceiling panels disposed to the opposite sides of said members, suspension means carried by said framework for suspending same from above; means on said framework .for supportingftubular' lamps thereon; the channels of said upper portions of said certain members forming raceways for the-wiring for said lamps and said upper portions and'the coplanar flanges on the lower portions of said certain members having substantially the same width,

6. A framework structure for a suspended ceiling and lighting system according to claim 5, wherein each said lower portionof inverted T-bar section is provided with opposedmeanstextending along both the tcvp and bottom edges, of its vertical leg and which cooperate with the opposite rplanar faces of said leg in defining a pair of oppositely faced slideways for connectormeans adapted to secure transversely extending framework members to said framework member.

Berger 138-107 Wright 5=2-,486 Wakefield 240-9 Goldthorpe 240-2 X, Drury 52-475 Kruger 240-9 Zingone 52-476 Schwartz et a1 240-9 X Zingone, 240-9 X Bibb 240-9 X 7 Adams e 52-232 15 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

EVON C. BLUINK', Examiner. J'. F. PETERS, AssistantExaminer. 

1. A CEILING FRAMEWORK MEMBER FOR AN INTEGRATED CEILING AND LIGHTING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN UPPER ELONGATED PORTION OF UPRIGHT CHANNEL SECTION DEFINING AN OPEN-TOP ELECTRICAL WIRING RACEWAY FOR ENCLOSING WIRING RUNNING TO ELECTRICAL LIGHTING MEANS IN PART SUPPORTED FROM SAID MEMBER AND A LOWER ELONGATED PORTION OF INVERTED TBAR SECTION DEPENDING THEREFROM AND INCLUDING A PLANAR VERTICAL LEG AND A PAIR OF COPLANAR HORIZONTAL FLANGES INTEGRAL WITH AND PROJECTING OUTWARDLY AND IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS FROM THE LOWER EDGE OF SAID LEG AND PROVIDING CEILING-PANEL SUPPORTING MEANS, THE WIDTH OF THE CHANNEL SECTION BEING SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE TOTAL WIDTH OF SAID FLANGES. 